Hogtown Gastropub
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the re-launch of the Hogtown Gastropub, the Old Auld Spot at 633 College in Little Italy. My first visit here last year was for a meeting and a couple of beers and this time I was spolied with platter after platter of pub-grub. With a term like gastropub […]
Windows in Niagara Falls by Jamie Kennedy
Jamie Kennedy has long been associated with local, seasonal cooking in the Toronto area (some say he led the movement) and now he’s spread his wings to Niagara Falls where he treated some lucky guests to a dinner atop of the Sheraton Hotel’s Windows restaurant overlooking both the American and Canadian Falls. Born and raised […]
Gaia Greek Dinner at Malena
Just two nights ago some lucky folks here in Toronto got to experience the first of many Greek cuisine-themed dinners I hope to organize in the future. Beyond organizing dinners at my home or other people’s residences this was the first to be held at a restaurant. I chose Malena because I love the warm […]
Gail Simmons Loves Greek Food
Last night I attended a media event at the Drake Hotel that was organized by Ivy Knight and Harper-Collins publishing. The occasion was to present Gail Simmons’ book titled “Talking With My Mouth Full”. Gail Simmons was born & raised in Toronto but left for the US to immerse herself in the PR side of […]
Nacho Macaroni & Cheese
A couple of weeks ago I did a cooking demo at Toronto’s Harbourfront. No stranger to crowds, cooking in front of strangers didn’t present a problem and besides..I was doing what I love – sharing good, comforting food. When I was asked to conduct some cooking demos the prerequisite was that I showcase comforting dishes […]
Pan-Fried Cajun Rainbow Trout
For those familiar with Toronto, you might remember the Whistling Oyster. Although I’m not a fan of basement establishments, this once used to be innovative, had an open kitchen, one could sit at a table or eat casually at the bar. I’ve been told it has since closed but I hold dear memories of eating […]
Pierogi Pizza
Those of you who are from Slavic countries may be familiar with Pierogies – crescent-shaped dumplings usually filled with potato and cheese and varying to meat, saurkraut fillings and even dessert varieties. Here in Canada, I was introduced to Pierogies through the two very large Ukrainian and Polish communities here in Canada. The Polish community […]
Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup
This recipe combines some of my favourite flavours: earthy mushrooms and nutty, smoky wild rice which really isn’t a rice! Wild rice is the seed of an aquatic rice that’s been consumed by Native Indians. Here in Canada, wild rice is grown in shallow lakes in rivers in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and north-western […]
Mussels With Fennel & White Wine Sauce
A short while ago I wrote about having lunch at one of Toronto’s great new places to eat seafood – Diana’s in Scarborough. As sexy as it was having a Lobster Club House sandwich, the real star of that lunch were the steamed mussels in a white wine and fennel sauce. Tremendous. I asked our […]
Holy Chuck Burgers
The hamburger renaissance is large here in the Toronto area and from what I’ve been gleaning in the media, the same holds true throughout Canada and the US. Hamburger franchises are closing and new independent shops are opening up. Some of the new shops are merely new, glitzy shops offering the same ole’ processed […]
